BMW WilliamsF1 Team-Hungarian GP Preview
Hungarian Grand Prix - 16/17/18 August 2002 - PREVIEW The BMW WilliamsF1 Team narrowed the gap to Ferrari during the last Grand Prix at Hockenheim, while extending its advantage over McLaren. This performance, ahead of the final five races of the season, has made the team confident of strengthening the position as the leading contender to Ferrari. While the August break has provided some respite for the drivers and those involved with on-track testing, activity levels at the team¹s Oxfordshire base in Wantage, and at BMW HQ in Munich have been intense, with a particular focus on specifying a race trim to suit the traditionally hot conditions anticipated at the Hungaroring. Ralf Schumacher: "This break has been very welcome, to simply recharge my batteries and refresh and strengthen myself for the last five races. The motivation is not so much about winning second place in the Drivers' Championship behind my brother Michael, but about our intention to catch up with Ferrari before the end of the season. If we don¹t manage to achieve this, it will make next season very difficult. Budapest will indicate how strong we could be in the future. Personally, I enjoy the Hungaroring track because you've got to work so hard in the car, which is in many ways similar to Monaco. This puts the emphasis on my personal fitness, as much as the car¹s reliability." Juan Pablo Montoya: "Hungary is a highlight in the season as far as I am concerned because I like Budapest, although mainly because I like the city, rather than its circuit. The Hungaroring has a fiddly layout, perhaps more like a kart track than a true F1 circuit. Last year, which was my debut there in a Formula One car, wasn't exciting but we definitely have a better package this season, which gives me more confidence returning here. Even if it's not one of my favourite tracks, I definitely intend to make the best of it. Having the last two races back-to-back was very demanding, and I think everyone in F1 will have appreciated the break we had before this Grand Prix. I spent most of my time in Miami relaxing with my family and friends, and I now feel ready for the last part of the season." Sam Michael (Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1): "The Hungaroring is dominated by slow to medium speed corners, requiring maximum levels of downforce and tyre grip. The mechanical set-ups are usually geared towards maximising slow speed grip and traction while maintaining a good change in direction for the high speed chicanes. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team took a good step forward at the German GP and we hope to continue this trend in Hungary. "We have had previous experience of both of the tyres available to us for this race and they appear to be quite durable. Degradation can be a concern due to high track temperatures, excessive traction and corner loading, and accordingly we will be allowing for that. For this reason we will spend the time during Friday practice carefully evaluating the two compounds. "A strong qualifying in Hungary is important, as in Monaco, because overtaking here is extremely difficult, even if you have a large performance advantage. As a result, careful emphasis is put on the race strategy for a good result." Gerhard Berger (BMW Motorsport Director) "The Budapest circuit is really special. It is a low speed track with very little grip which demands plenty of downforce. Temperatures are traditionally high and make it challenging for men, machines and tyres alike. This year's Monaco Grand Prix showed that we have improved our performance on tight circuits. So in Budapest our aim will be to not lose points to McLaren in order to consolidate second place in the Formula One Constructors¹ World Championship. We have also got a little bit closer to Ferrari during the race and we hope to continue this trend. I think the whole team is looking forward to the Hungarian Grand Prix both because of our strong result at Hockenheim, as well as having the benefit of a little break." Facts and Figures … The Hungarian Grand Prix is a relative youngster on the World Championship calendar, as this is only the 17th event to be hosted by Hungary since 1986. The only country to have been added to the F1 calendar since is Malaysia, with the first race being held in 1999. … The Hungarian race has witnessed highs and lows for WilliamsF1. The team first won a race in Budapest in 1986 with Nelson Piquet and has won seven of the 16 races since. Moreover, Nigel Mansell clinched his World Championship in Hungary in 1992, but it remains a venue of mixed fortunes as in 1987 Mansell started from pole, led for 70 of the 76 laps and then lost a rear wheel in sight of the chequered flag. … Hungary did host one race before the start of the current World Championship in a park on the edge of Budapest in 1936 which was won by Tazio Nuvolari in an Alfa Romeo. … The circuit has been changed several times over the years and shortened fractionally, but the current layout is 2.470 miles (3.975 km) long and the 77 lap race will be 190.227 miles (306.075 km) long. … After the street circuit of Monaco, the Hungaroring is the second shortest track of the current Formula One Calendar. … The lap record was set in 2001 by Mika Häkkinen in his McLaren Mercedes with a time of 1m 16.723s (186.515 km/h). … The 2001 Grand Prix saw Michael Schumacher taking pole position (1m 14.059s), victory and his fourth World Champion crown. At the same time the Scuderia Ferrari secured the Formula One Constructors¹ World Championship. … Apart from the season¹s championship conclusion, the 2001 race was not particularly eventful. The Hungaroring proved again that its layout comprised of a narrow track and numerous turns affords very few opportunities to overtake. Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya have been fourth and eighth respectively on the grid and this remained precisely their finishing position. The main excitement was the battle for fourth place that waged between Ralf and Mika Häkkinen between laps 61 and 71. Mika launched repeated attacks and Ralf had to work hard to defend his position. … Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was created in 1873 by the merger of two cities, Buda and Pest, based on each side of the Donau river. Today Budapest has a population of 2.1 million, six universities and numerous museums. Besides being the cultural centre of the country, Budapest enjoys a huge harbour and is accordingly a regional trade and industry centre. To reach the Hungaroring, situated east of Budapest¹s outskirts, takes about 20 minutes by car from the city centre. … The race will start at 14.00 local time (12.00 BST) on Sunday, 18th August. Ralf Schumacher #5 Juan Pablo Montoya #6 DOB 30/06/75 Hürth (DEU) 20/09/75 - Bogota (COL) Nationality German Colombian Residence Salzburg (AUT) Monte Carlo (MCO) Marital status Married to Cora, one son (David) Engaged to Connie Freydell Height 1.78 m 1.68 m Weight 73 kg 72 kg F1 debut 1997, Melbourne 2001, Melbourne Poles 1 9 Wins 4 1 Points (total) 171 71 Points 2002 36 40 Fastest laps 6 6 2002 Qualifying Race Qualifying Race GP Australia 3rd accident 6th 2nd GP Malaysia 4th 1st 2nd 2nd GP Brazil 3rd 2nd 1st 5th GP San Marino 3rd 3rd 4th 4th GP Spain 3rd 11th 4th 2nd GP Austria 2nd 4th 4th 3rd GP Monaco 4th 3rd 1st Dnf GP Canada 4th 7th 1st Dnf GP Europe 2nd 4th 1st Dnf GP England 4th 8th 1st 3rd GP France 5th 5th 1st 4th GP Germany 2nd 3rd 4th 2nd